Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for transmitting a message

ABSTRACT

A method for effecting delivery of a message from an originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorized receivers in a respective reception message format includes: (a) composing the message; (b) characterizing the message for addressing to indicate at least one feature of the message; (c) addressing the message according to the characterizing pursuant to information provided in a data base that identifies particulars relating to each respective authorized receiver; the addressing establishing selected receivers of the plurality of authorized receivers as permitted receivers; the particulars including the appropriate respective reception message format for each respective permitted receiver; and (d) transmitting the message to each respective permitted receiver via a communication network that includes respective communication media configured for delivering the message in the appropriate respective reception message format to each respective permitted receiver.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/512,162, filed Aug. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,764,772, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/126,600, filed May 11, 2005(abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/011,640, filed Nov. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,131.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for messagedelivery in communication networks, and especially to systems andmethods for message delivery in telecommunication networks.

Various commercial establishments have occasions for communicating witha plurality of addressees in order to convey a message to the intendedmessage recipients. For example, a merchant may wish to apprisepotential customers of a sale event at one or more locations in ageographical area.

By way of example, retail establishments such as supermarkets, golfcourses, movie theaters, and others, often communicate with customers bysending notices or advertisements through the postal service or anothermail delivery service. The communications may be printed notices oradvertising circulars, and may be in an electronic medium such as afloppy disc, a CD-ROM or DVD or other machine readable format. Mailingthrough a mail delivery service has the desirable attribute of enablingcommunications from one-to-many. Hereinafter in this description, theterm “one-to-many” refers to one originator entity substantiallysimultaneously communicating with a plurality of receiving entities. Inthe retail example described above, one retail establishment (theoriginator entity) communicates with many customers or other consumers(the receiving entities) by mailing information concerningadvertisements, sales or other promotions or communiqués. There is adisadvantage in terms of timeliness involved in such mail delivery ofcommunications: because of the time required for sorting and deliveringthe mail, two to five days or more may elapse before receiving entitiesreceive the communication. Advertisers may wish to offer “perishable”goods or services so that timely communications are a necessity. Forexample, theater tickets are a perishable offering. If a movie theaterseat is not sold for a particular showing, the opportunity to realizerevenue from that seat for that particular showing is lost; it isperishable. There are other examples of perishable products and serviceswhere retail establishments may want to promote perishable items tocustomers within certain time frames. Timely communication ofopportunities to customers may require sending communications andgetting a response from customers within hours, not the days that areusually involved when using the postal service. There are express mailand messenger services available for shortening delivery and responsetimes, however such specialized services are often cost prohibitive.

Mailed communications also are generally the same for receiving entitiesin a given Zip Code or other geographic area. There is usually no (orlittle) consideration given to an individual receiving entities' likes,dislikes or other preferences in preparing a communication mailing. Asignificant consequence of such a generalized message is a low responseand redemption rate. That is, customers often simply ignore or discardcommunications without even reading them because of a perception thatthe communications are not something that would be of interest.

Another disadvantage of mailed communications has been safety; the mailshave been used as a vehicle for terrorism. Mail recipients have fallenvictim to explosives and toxins that have been unlawfully enclosed intheir mail. Mail communication campaigns are also susceptible to thepossibility of cross contamination among mail pieces so that toxins orother mail mischief carried by one piece of mail may pass a noxiouscharacteristic to other mail pieces during normal mail sorting andhandling operations. As a consequence, receiving entities affected bythe objectionable mail may be multiplied several-fold.

In summary, there are at least three aspects of mailed communicationsfor conveying commercial messages that can be improved: timeliness,responsiveness, and safety.

Advances in technology and telecommunication systems have been employedto address these shortcomings. In 1876 Alexander Graham Bell wascredited with inventing the telephone and creating the means forone-to-one voice communications over a distance. Since then, advances incommunications and electronics have made communications possiblethroughout most of the world. For example, the Global Standard forMobiles (GSM), the European standard that emerged circa 1991, includesprovisions for one-to-one text messaging to and from wireless handsets.This GSM standard uses a store and forward system for short messages. Inaddition, since the development of the Internet, email, voice overInternet protocol, instant messaging, and other messaging techniques arebecoming popular communications vehicles.

Retail establishments may opt to use telephone systems, email,facsimile, mobile and other communication media to communicate withcustomers or prospective customers. These various communication mediaalso provide a means for one to communicate to many in real or near realtime. One-to-many communications require the flexibility tosimultaneously address a variety of the many media available.

Communication systems and methods with one-to-many capabilities havebeen proposed. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,223 to Mukherjee, et al for“System and Method for Selective Multipoint Transmission of ShortMessage Service Messages,” issued Sep. 11, 2001, a system and method aredisclosed which contemplate the transmission of short message service(SMS) messages to a plurality of destination units by transmitting anSMS message addressed to a predefined user group. Mukherjee discloses asystem and method for carrying out message transmission from one-to-manyin an SMS format. Mukherjee discloses a system and method by which amessage originator enters a desired message and then initiates an SMStransmission by entering a user group identifier in place of anindividual recipient's identifier. Using a properly defined user groupthat includes a data base of one or many SMS identifiers allows thetransmission of the desired message from one SMS capable device to manySMS capable mobile units. However, Mukherjee's invention provides onlyfor delivery to SMS capable mobile units. In addition, there is noconsideration for the tastes or preferences of message recipients.

Thus, prior art communication systems and methods do not accommodatecustomer preferences, and usually one is limited to a singlecommunication medium in carrying out the distribution of a message. Thatis, sending a facsimile communication is received by those customers orprospective customers that are equipped to receive facsimile messages.Other types of communication are destined for reception by receivingentities that are equipped to receive the communication format used bythe originator entity in transmitting the message.

There is a need for a communication system and method that enables realor near real time communications using a variety of communication mediathat conform to receiving entities' communication capabilities.

There is a need for a communication system and method that alsoaccommodates receiving entities' preferences as to various aspects ofthe messages, such as originator of the messages, content of themessages, and other characteristics of the messages.

There is a need for a communication system and method that facilitatescommunication on a one-to-many basis with diverse populations withdifferent tastes and requirements for products, services, andcommunication media.

Preferably, recipients may elect to receive communications via aplurality of media. Such a plurality of media may include, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, voice, data or videocommunications. The technology to support the delivery of messagesincludes, but is not limited to, voice terminals (for example: publiclyswitch telephone services, mobile voice terminals, voice over Internetprotocol), emails, faxes, pages, short message services, instantmessages, enhanced messaging services, multimedia messaging services,video conferences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for communicationthat enables the broadcast of messages from a single originatinginterface to a plurality of selected recipient-specified messageterminal elements. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, therecipients subscribe to a service that facilitates defining recipientpreferences and communication media capabilities. In the preferredembodiment of such a subscription process, recipients provide specificterminal requirements, including network connectivity, and deliveryrules. In addition, message originators and recipients may indicatecriteria to authorize filtering and delivery of messages. When thecriteria are met, the messages are transmitted according to the deliveryrules. Data bases containing information provided by subscribers duringthe subscription process and other attributes may be maintained in aservice bureau.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, recipients canrequest subscription changes via the Internet using Internet protocolssuch as hypertext transport protocol and extensions.

A method for effecting delivery of a message from an originator in anoriginal message format to a plurality of authorized receivers in arespective reception message format includes the steps of: (a) composingthe message; (b) characterizing the message for addressing to indicateat least one feature of the message; (c) addressing the messageaccording to the characterizing pursuant to information provided in adata base that identifies particulars relating to each respectiveauthorized receiver; the addressing establishing selected receivers ofthe plurality of authorized receivers as permitted receivers; theparticulars including the appropriate respective reception messageformat for each respective permitted receiver; and (d) transmitting themessage to each respective permitted receiver via a communicationnetwork that includes respective communication media configured fordelivering the message in the appropriate respective reception messagefoil rat to each respective permitted receiver.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acommunication system and method for effecting delivery of a message froman originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorizedreceivers in real or near real time communications using a variety ofcommunication media that conform to receiving entities' communicationcapabilities.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide acommunication system and method for effecting delivery of a message froman originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorizedreceivers in a respective reception message format that alsoaccommodates receiving entities' preferences as to various aspects ofthe messages, such as originator of the messages, content of themessages, and other characteristics of the messages.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide acommunication system and method for effecting delivery of a message froman originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorizedreceivers in a respective reception message format that facilitatescommunication on a one-to-many basis with diverse populations withdifferent tastes and requirements for products, services, andcommunication media.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acommunication system and method for effecting delivery of a message froman originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorizedreceivers in a respective reception message format with which recipientsmay elect to receive communications via a plurality of media. Such aplurality of media may include, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, voice, data or video communications. The technology tosupport the delivery of messages includes, but is not limited to, voiceterminals (for example: publicly switch telephone services, mobile voiceterminals, voice over Internet protocol), emails, faxes, pages, shortmessage services, instant messages, enhanced messaging services,multimedia messaging services, video conferences.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following specification and claims when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements arelabeled using like reference numerals in the various figures,illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of this invention may be obtained fromconsideration of the following description taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a prior art arrangement ofdisparate communication systems that provide one-to-one and one-to-manycommunications.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary subscription database for use with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of anoriginator data base for use with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary subscription processfor use with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the messagebroadcast method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred embodiment of themessage broadcast communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the messagebroadcast method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention described hereinafter, with references to theaccompanying drawings, is a preferred embodiment of the invention inconnection with messaging between an originator and a plurality ofreceivers embodied in a representative milieu of messaging betweenretail establishments and customers. However, the application of thisinvention is much broader than the illustrative system and method andshould not be considered as limited to the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a prior art arrangement ofdisparate communication systems that provide one-to-one and one-to-manycommunications. In FIG. 1, a prior art message broadcast communicationsystem (MBCS) 10 enables message originators 42 (e.g., retailestablishments) to broadcast messages on a one-to-one and one-to-manybasis to recipients 44 (e.g., customers or consumers). A respectiverecipient 44 may receive message traffic for 1, or 2 or n number ofcustomers or consumers.

MBCS 10 includes a network core 12 connected with a plurality of messageorigination elements 14 and a plurality of message termination elements16. Message origination elements 14 include, for example, anemail/browser 18, an instant message unit 20, an interactive TV unit 22,a web cast unit 24, a VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) unit 26, atelephone unit 28, a facsimile unit 30, a video conference unit 32, apager/PDA (personal digital assistant) unit 34, an xMS/message terminal(xMS encompasses short message services, enhanced message services, andmultimedia message services) 36, a mobile telephone 38, and othermessage origination elements 40.

Network core 12 components include a pager network 46, an Internet/emailserver 48, a plurality of private networks 50, a PSTN (public switchedtelephone network) 52, a broadcast network 54, a MSC/HLR/VLR/SMSC(mobile switching center/home location register/visitor locationregister/short message service center) facility 56, a plurality ofgateways 58, and other network core components 60.

The architecture of MBCS 10 is fragmented by its very nature with aplurality of incompatible message origination elements 14, network core12 components, and message termination elements 16. There is somelimited compatibility among the various system elements in MBCS 10, buta message originator such as a retail establishment must composedifferent broadcast messages, with different formats and form factors,and obtain separate network connectivity for each respectiveincompatible system element or component to effect message delivery toall recipients 44.

Another significant shortcoming of prior art MBCS 10 is the lack of acapability for accounting for tastes of respective message recipients44. That is, recipients 44 do not have an opportunity to indicatedesired attributes of message content. Message originators 42 maybroadcast messages to the entire audience of recipients 44 withoutregard to the ideal target profile of message content desired byrespective recipients 44. For those recipients 44, that are notinterested in a given particular message, the value of future messagesis diluted, even if the future messages would ordinarily be of interestto a given recipient 44. An additional benefit that could be realized ifsuch tailoring of message content for respective recipients 44 could beeffected is an improvement in efficiency of promulgating broadcastmessages (i.e., one-to-many messages) by streamlining cost structuresand productivity.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary subscription database for use with the present invention. In FIG. 2, an exemplarysubscription data base 90 contains records that comprise a repository ofrecipients' tastes or particulars in a plurality of data base entries 92a, 92 b, 92 n. A data base entry 92 a records message terminationelements (i.e., message formats) that can be handled by recipient (1).Data base entry 92 a also records message content preferences that aredesired by recipient (1). A data base entry 92 b records messagetermination elements (i.e., message formats) that can be handled byrecipient (2). Data base entry 92 b also records message contentpreferences that are desired by recipient (2). A data base entry 92 nrecords message termination elements (i.e., message formats) that can behandled by recipient (n). Data base entry 92 n also records messagecontent preferences that are desired by recipient (n). Information maybe entered into subscription data base 90 by recipients pursuant toaccess granted to subscription data base 90 by a subscription process.That is, recipients (n) may pay a subscription fee for the privilege ofhaving appropriate information 92 n recorded in subscription data base90 for use with the system and method of the present invention to effectdelivery of messages from message originators to message recipients. Insuch manner, desires or preferences of subscribing recipients may bestored and later employed in practicing the present invention foreffecting broadcast messaging (i.e., one-to-many) transmission among aplurality of recipients who receive the message by differing messagetermination elements in different message formats.

The annotation “n” is intended to indicate that subscription data base90 can accommodate any number of recipients (n) in a like number of database entries 92 n. As mentioned above, subscription data base 90 isexemplary; the particular structure of the data base used to recordcustomer or recipient preferences is not restricted or limited to theform or format described herein. Any data base structure that permitsstorage and recovery of information relating to message terminationelement attributes, message content attributes or other preferences ordesires of subscribing recipients is appropriate for use in implementingthe system and method of the present invention.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, message terminationelement attributes may include element type, network connectivity, andtime of transmission. Some specific examples of message terminationelement attributes: SMS messages (element type) at phone number630.555.5540 by Cingular Wireless (network connectivity) and Monday toWednesday from 3 pm to 8 pm (time of transmission). By way of exampleand not by way of limitation, message content attributes may includespecific message content. Some specific examples of message contentattributes: action-adventure movies (movie genre), Clint Eastwood(leading actor), 10% discount (pricing incentive).

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of anoriginator data base for use with the present invention. In FIG. 3, anoriginator data base 94 contains records that comprise a repository ofrecipients' buying habits and other attributes that allow messageoriginators to target the broadcast of messages in a plurality of database entries 96 a, 96 b, 96 n. A data base entry 96 a records redemptionand preference attributes for a recipient (1). Redemption and preferenceattributes may, for example, indicate the desires of a recipientregarding rebates terms or coupon discount terms. Message3 may includecoupons or other redeemable promotions, and such attributes may alsoindicate a historical account of the messages that have been redeemed inthe past for each recipient. Data base entry 96 a also records presenceand location attributes for recipient (1). Presence and locationattributes may, for example, indicate the status of a recipient, one ormore geographic location at which a recipient may be found, and thetimes during which the recipient is at the specified location(s). Theterm “status” may refer to any characteristic of a recipient, such aswhether the recipient is on-line or not.

A data base entry 96 b records redemption and preference attributes fora recipient (2). Data base entry 96 b also records presence and locationattributes for recipient (2). A data base entry 96 n records redemptionand preference attributes for a recipient (n). Data base entry 96 n alsorecords presence and location attributes for recipient (n). Theannotation “n” is intended to indicate that originator data base 94 canaccommodate any number of recipients (n) in a like number of data baseentries 96 n. As mentioned above, originator data base 94 is exemplary;the particular structure of the data base used to record customer orrecipient preferences is not restricted or limited to the form or formatdescribed herein. Any data base structure that permits storage andrecovery of information relating to recipient redemption and preferencesattributes, recipient presence and location attributes or otherattributes that allow message originators to target the broadcast ofmessages is appropriate for use in implementing the system and method ofthe present invention.

Subscription data base 90 and originator data base 94 are illustratedherein as separate data bases by way of example and in order to presenta simplified explanation of the present invention. Subscription database 90 and originator data base 94 may be embodied in a single database if desired without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

By way of further example, redemption and preference attributes mayinclude the redemption and buying habits of recipients. Some specificexamples of redemption and preference attributes: 3 action-adventuremovies, 1 Clint Eastwood movie, 5 movies with a 10% discount. Presenceand location attributes may include, for example, historical or realtime accounts of presence and location. Some specific examples ofpresence and location attributes: “available” presence, within 5-mileradius of movie theater, within 10598 zip code. “Available” presenceindicates, for example, that a recipient is contemporaneously on-lineand able to receive messages. A recipient may have a presence thatavails his receiving messages, but at a later time than the time oftransmission of a particular message.

It should be understood that many other types of attributes arepossible, including privacy, message count, and others. The universe ofpossible messages, based on the specific application and desiredoutcomes determines the definition of the attributes best employed forimplementing the system and method of the present invention in aparticular situation.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary subscription processfor use with the present invention. In FIG. 4, a subscription process100 is described that is appropriate for populating and editing asubscription data base (e.g., subscription data base 90; FIG. 2)according to the preferred embodiment of this invention. Process 100begins at a subscription process initiation locus, as indicated by a box102. Process 100 continues by posing a query: “Does the record alreadyexist?”, as indicated by a query block 104. If the response to the queryposed by query block 104 is “No”, then process 100 is a new subscriberentry process and process 100 therefore continues along NO response line105 to a step by which the subscriber populates message terminationattributes in the subscription data base, as indicated by a block 108.Process 100 continues by the subscriber populating the message contentattributes in the subscription data base, as indicated by a block 110.Process 100 continues from block 111 by terminating, as indicated by ablock 112.

If the response to the query posed by query block 104 is “Yes”, thenprocess 100 is an editing process and process 100 therefore continuesalong YES response line 107 to a step by which the subscriber editsmessage termination attribute entries recorded in the subscription database, as indicated by a block 109. Process 100 continues by thesubscriber editing message content attribute entries recorded in thesubscription data base, as indicated by a block 111. Process 100continues from block 106 by terminating, as indicated by a block 112.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the messagebroadcast method of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a method 120begins at a message broadcast method initiation locus, as indicated by ablock 122. Process 120 continues by posing a query, “Do messagebroadcast conditions exist?”, as indicated by a query block 124. Thequery posed by query block 124 is intended to ascertain whether acondition exists that warrants the transmission of a broadcast message(e.g., a movie will be shown where tickets are available for perishableseats). If the response to the query posed by query block 124 is “No”,then process 120 proceeds along NO response line 125 to return toinitiation locus 122 and process 120 restarts. If the response to thequery posed by query block 124 is “Yes”, then process 120 proceeds alongYES response line 127 to a step by which the contents of the message tobe transmitted are composed, as indicated by a block 128. Process 120continues with the step of initiating the broadcast message, asindicated by a block 130.

Process 120 next parses the message contents and queries thesubscription and originator data base(s), as indicated by a block 132 todetermine how the message contents compare with the preferences ofrespective recipient/subscribers having information on record in thedata base(s). Process 120 then proceeds to use the comparisoninformation resulting from the step represented by block 132 to generatea message contact list appropriate for the message being processed fortransmission, as indicated by a block 134. Process 120 proceeds next toestablish appropriate connectivity with an associated communicationnetwork core pursuant to the contact list developed pursuant to the steprepresented by block 134, as indicated by a block 136. Connectivity isestablished with the communication network based upon one or morefactors developed pursuant to the steps represented by blocks 132, 134.For example, connectivity will be established for reaching only thoserecipients/subscribers who have indicated a desire to receive themessage, given the contents of the message. Further, the technicalcapabilities of respective recipients/subscribers to receive messages ina format in which the message being processed may be transmitted willdetermine which recipients/subscribers are able to receive the message.This technical issue of capability to receive a given message formatdirectly affects performance of the step indicated by block 136 in thatit dictates specific connectivity arrangements to be effected with thecommunication network. Other attributes such as time of deliveryrestraints and other factors may also be involved in performing stepsrepresented by blocks 132, 134, 136.

Process 120 then proceeds to transmitting or broadcasting the messagebeing processed, as indicated by a block 138. Transmission is effectedto recipients who “qualify” or are permitted under criteria contained insubscription and originator data base(s) and who can be reached with aformat to be used for transmitting the message (blocks 132, 134).Connectivity is established (block 136) with a communication networkusing all appropriate message format-capable network elements necessaryto reach the most permitted or “qualified” recipients possible.

Process 120 then checks for any errors that may have occurred, asindicated by a decision block 140. If there were any errors, thenprocess 120 proceeds along YES response line 141 to investigate and fixsources of error, as indicated by a block 144. Process 120 then proceedsto terminate, as indicated by a block 146. If there are no errorsdiscovered pursuant to the step indicated by decision block 140, process120 proceeds via NO response line 143 directly to termination, asindicated by block 146.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred embodiment of themessage broadcast communication system of the present invention. In FIG.6, a message broadcast communication system (MBCS) 200 enablesoriginators 242 (e.g., retail establishments) to broadcast messages on aone-to-one and one-to-many basis to recipients 244 (e.g., customers orconsumers). A respective recipient 244 may receive message traffic for1, or 2 or n number of customers or consumers.

MBCS 200 includes a network core 212 connected with a message broadcastfront-end unit 214, a service bureau 218, and a plurality of messagetermination elements 216. Message broadcast front-end 214 includesequipment such as software and computing hardware appropriate forpracticing a message broadcast method 216 (e.g., message broadcastprocess 120; FIG. 5). Service bureau 218 includes a subscription database 220 and an originator data base 222. As mentioned earlier inconnection with describing FIGS. 2 and 3, subscription data base 220 andoriginator data base 222 may be embodied in a single data base. Networkcore 212 components include a pager network 246, an Internet/emailserver 248, a plurality of private networks 250, a PSTN (public switchedtelephone network) 252, a broadcast network 254, a MSC/HLR/VLR/SMSC(mobile switching center/home location register/visitor locationregister/short message service center) 256, a plurality of gateways 258,and other network core components 260. Various network service providers(not shown in detail in FIG. 6) may participate in operating the severalnetwork components 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260. Back officeconnectivity 224 provides appropriate operational interfaces betweenservice bureau 218 and network core 212.

The preferred embodiment of the system of the present inventioncontemplates a single source for all the required connectivity withnetwork core 212. Such an arrangement precludes originators 242 fromstriking separate agreements with various network service providers innetwork core 212. An additional advantage with such an arrangement isthat message filtering and targeting are transparent. That is,characterizing predetermined attributes of messages and comparing thoseattributes with preferences in subscription data base 220 and originatordata base 222 to determine transmission mode(s) and addressees forbroadcast messages may be automatically accomplished regardless of theparticular network provider in network core 212 that will participate indelivering the message to a particular recipient 244.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the messagebroadcast method of the present invention. In FIG. 7, a method 300 foreffecting delivery of a message from an originator to a plurality ofauthorized receivers is illustrated. The message is initiated by theoriginator in an original message format. Each respective authorizedreceiver of the plurality of authorized receivers receives the messagein a respective reception message format. Method 300 begins at a STARTlocus 302 and proceeds with the step of composing the message, asindicated by a block 304. Method 300 continues by characterizing themessage for addressing, as indicated by a block 306. The characterizingindicates at least one feature of the message. Method 300 continues withthe step of addressing the message according to the characterizingpursuant to information provided in a data base, as indicated by a block307. The data base identifies particulars relating to each respectiveauthorized receiver. The addressing (block 307) is carried out byselecting an addressee, as indicated by a block 308. Addressingcontinues with checking particulars relating to the message, asindicated by a block 310. A query is posed inquiring whether theparticulars and the desires of the addressee being considered match, asindicated by a query block 312. If the particulars of the message andthe desires of the respective addressee do not match, method 300proceeds along NO response line 314. Another query is posed inquiringwhether the respective addressee is the last addressee to be considered,as indicated by a query block 316. If the respective addressee is notthe last addressee to be considered, method 300 proceeds along NOresponse line 318 to return to block 308 so that another respectiveaddressee can be selected and method 300 may proceed from block 308 anewregarding the newly selected respective addressee.

If the particulars of the message and the desires of the respectiveaddressee match, method 300 proceeds from query block 312 along YESresponse line 322 and the respective addressee is established as apermitted addressee to be a recipient of the message, as indicated by ablock 324. Method 300 proceeds from block 324 to query block 316 todetermine whether the respective addressee is the last addressee to beconsidered (block 316). If the respective addressee is the lastaddressee to be considered, then method 300 proceeds from query block316 via YES response line 320 and the message (now with all permittedaddressees accumulated as message addressees, as indicated by dottedline 321) is transmitted to respective permitted addressees or receiversin appropriate reception message format for each respective permittedaddressee, as indicated by a block 328. Method 300 proceeds from block328 to end, as indicated by an END locus 330. The particulars of themessage that are compared with addressees' desires (blocks 310, 312)include the appropriate respective reception message format for eachrespective permitted receiver.

It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and specificexamples given describe preferred embodiments of the invention, they arefor the purpose of illustration only, that the apparatus and method ofthe invention are not limited to the precise details and conditionsdisclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit of the invention which is defined by the followingclaims:

1. A method for delivering a message, comprising: receiving, by amessage broadcast delivery system, a message from an originator;determining, by the message broadcast delivery system, a set ofattributes associated with the message; determining, by the messagebroadcast delivery system, a set of recipients for the message, whereinthe determining a set of recipients for the message includes: forrespective potential recipients in a set of potential recipients:comparing message filtering criteria of a potential recipient with oneor more attributes in the set of attributes associated with the message,wherein a message filtering criterion of the potential recipientincludes a historical location associated with the potential recipient;and adding the potential recipient to the set of recipients for themessage responsive to a determination that the message filteringcriteria of the potential recipient matches the one or more attributesin the set of attributes associated with the message; and transmittingthe message from the message broadcast delivery system to the potentialrecipients included in the set of recipients for the message.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determining a set of attributesassociated with the message further comprises: determining a set ofdelivery criteria associated with the originator; and adding the set ofidentified delivery criteria to the set of attributes.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a message filtering criterion of the potentialrecipient includes a geographic location of the potential recipient. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein a message filtering criterion of thepotential recipient includes desired redemption attributes of thepotential recipient.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a messagefiltering criterion of the potential recipient includes a historicalaccount of past redemption activities of the potential recipient.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determining a set of attributesassociated with the message further comprises: parsing content of themessage received from the originator to identify one or more contentattributes of the message; and adding the one or more content attributesto the set of attributes associated with the message.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein a content attribute is whether the message receivedfrom the originator is an advertisement.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein a message filtering criterion of the potential recipientincludes a message format supported by the potential recipient.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said transmitting the message to therespective recipients in the set of recipients comprises: translatingthe message to a format acceptable to a recipient in the set ofrecipients; and transmitting the translated message to the recipient.10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving one or moremessage filtering criteria from the potential recipient in the set ofpotential recipients; and updating a database record for the potentialrecipient with the one or more message filtering criteria received fromthe potential recipient.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the messagefiltering criterion includes a historical location of the potentialrecipient relative to a location of an object of the message.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the message filtering criterion of thehistorical location of the potential recipient corresponds to a distancebetween the potential recipient and the object of the message.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the message filtering criterion of thehistorical location of the potential recipient-corresponds to a commongeographical area.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the commongeographical area is a geographical area having a common zip code. 15.The method of claim 1, wherein a message filtering criterion of thepotential recipient includes a current location of the potentialrecipient.
 16. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereoncomputer executable instructions, execution of which by a computingdevice causes the computing device to perform operations for deliveringa message in a message broadcast system, the operations comprising:receiving a message from an originator; determining a set of attributesassociated with the message; determining a set of recipients for themessage, wherein the determining a set of recipients for the messageincludes: for each respective potential recipients in a set of potentialrecipients: comparing message filtering criteria of a potentialrecipient with one or more attributes in the set of attributesassociated with the message, wherein a message filtering criterion ofthe potential recipient includes a historical location associated withthe potential recipient; and adding the potential recipient to the setof recipients for the message responsive to a determination that themessage filtering criteria of the potential recipient matches the one ormore attributes of the set of attributes associated with the message;and transmitting the message to the potential recipients included in theset of recipients for the message.
 17. A message broadcast systemcomprising: a recipient database configured to store, for respectivepotential recipients in a set of potential recipients, message filteringcriteria for the potential recipients; a message broadcast processorconfigured to receive a message from an originator, to determine a setof attributes associated with the message, to determine from the set ofpotential recipients in the recipient database a set of recipients forthe message, including, for the respective potential recipients of theset of potential recipients, (i) comparing message filtering criteria ofa potential recipient in the recipient database with one or moreattributes in the set of attributes associated with the message, whereina message filtering criterion of the potential recipient includes ahistorical location associated with the potential recipient, and (ii)adding the potential recipient to the set of recipients for the messageresponsive to a determination that the message filtering criteria of thepotential recipient matches the one or more attributes of the set ofattributes associated with the message received from the originator, andto transmit the message to the potential recipients included in the setof recipients for the message.
 18. A message broadcast systemcomprising: a recipient database configured to store, for respectivepotential recipients of a set of potential recipients, message filteringcriteria for the respective potential recipients; and message broadcastmeans for receiving a message from an originator, determining a set ofattributes associated with the message, determining a set of recipientsfor the message, including, for the respective potential recipients ofthe set of potential recipients, (i) comparing the message filteringcriteria of a potential recipient stored in the recipient database withone or more attributes in the set of attributes associated with themessage, wherein a message filtering criterion of the potentialrecipient includes a historical location associated with the potentialrecipient, and (ii) adding the potential recipient to the set ofrecipients for the message responsive to a determination that themessage filtering criteria of the potential recipient matches the one ormore attributes of the set of attributes associated with the message,and transmitting the message to the potential recipients included in theset of recipients for the message.